J-1 Visa Waiver and National Interest Waiver Programs

The application period for the FY 2015 Conrad 30/J-1 Visa Waiver Program cycle is now closed. The next application cycle will begin in October 2015 for the FY 2016 cycle.

The Conrad 30 State J-1 Visa Waiver Program was established to allow foreign medical graduates to stay in the United States following their advanced training by waiving the two-year home residency requirement of the J-1 Visa. In return, the foreign medical graduate must agree to provide full-time medical care in a federally designated health professional shortage area (HPSA) for three (3) years. Under the Conrad Visa Waiver Program, each state is allowed a maximum of 30 J-1 visa waivers each fiscal year. Click here for the rules concerning the Missouri J-1 Waiver Program: J-1 Visa Waiver rules.

In order to assist sponsoring employers and/or their legal representatives with submitting a complete application package, the OPCRH has developed a more detailed checklist of the information that must be provided and the order in which it must be provided. Click here for the J-1 Application Package Checklist. Sponsoring employers who want to hire a J-1 physician must submit an Employment Data Form with the application package to establish participation eligibility.

In Missouri, J-1 physicians must complete their three (3) year work commitment in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). Click here for information about specific locations designated as HPSAs: HPSA's by state, county or address.